Concerning the Jesus
Prayer

In the First Epistle to the Thessalonians the Apostle
Paul says: "Pray without ceasing" How then, is one to pray
unceasingly? By often repeating the Jesus Prayer:

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on
me".

By becoming accustomed to this appeal, great consolation
and the need to continually make this petition will be felt
within, and it will be carried on, as if of itself, within
one. Although in the beginning the enemy of the human race
will offer hindrances to this, by causing great weariness,
indolence, boredom and overcoming sleep, having withstood
all these with the help of God, one will receive peace of
soul, spiritual joy, a benevolent disposition towards
people, purification of thought, and gratitude towards
God.

In the very Name of Jesus a great and graceful power is
present. Many holy and righteous people advise repeating the
Jesus Prayer as frequently as possible; without
interruption. it is necessary for everyone, whether eating,
drinking, sitting, serving, travelling, or in doing
anything, to ceaselessly lament: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of
God, have mercy on me" in order that the Name of the Lord
Jesus Christ, in descending into the depths of our hearts,
may humble the serpent of destruction, and save and
enlighten the soul.

St. Seraphim of Sarov taught:

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a
sinner.' Let your attention and instruction be centred on
this. Walking, eating, standing in church before the
beginning of the service, continue with the prayer; on
entering and departing keep this prayer on your lips and
within your heart. In such a manner, with the invocation of
the Name of God you will find peace, you will attain to
purity of spirit and body; and the Holy Spirit, the Origin
of all good, will make for Himself a dwelling within you and
will guide you in all piety and purity".

St Theophan the Recluse taught:

"To more conveniently become accustomed to remembering
God, the fervent Christian has a special means, namely, to
repeat ceaselessly a brief prayer of two or three words.
Mostly this is 'Lord, have mercy' or "Lord Jesus Christ, Son
of God, have mercy on me, a sinner". If you have not yet
heard of this, then hear it now, and if you have not done
it, then begin from this hour to do it."

Those who have truly decided to serve the Lord God must
train themselves in the remembrance of God and in unceasing
prayer to Jesus Christ, saying mentally:

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on
me, a sinner".

Through such activity, and by guarding oneself from
distraction, and with the preservation of peace in one's
conscience, it is possible to draw near to God and to be
united with Him. For, according to the words of St. Isaac
the Syrian, "Except for unceasing prayer we cannot draw near
to God" (St. Seraphim of Sarov).

St. John of Kronstadt also counselled frequently the use
of the Prayer of Jesus.

from The Orthodox Messenger, Jan/Feb
1999,
publication of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
Australia